Amended IN Assembly March 21, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 861Introduced by Assembly Member ChenFebruary 20, 2019 An act to amend Sections 329 and 331 of, and to add Section 1786.5 to, of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 861, as amended, Chen. Juveniles.Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances. Existing law specifies that a proceeding to declare a juvenile a dependent is commenced by the social worker filing a petition with the juvenile court and authorizes a person to apply to the social worker to commence dependency proceedings. If the social worker does not undertake a program of supervision of the child or file a petition in the juvenile court within 3 weeks after the application, the social worker is required to document that decision and the person who applied to the social worker may apply to the juvenile court to review the social workers decision.This bill would shorten that time period to 5 business days after the application. application if the child about whom an application is made is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services. The bill would also require the juvenile court to review those applications prior to addressing any other dependency matter except detention hearings and issue a decision no more than 10 days after the application is made. By requiring a higher level of service from county social workers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing federal law requires states to form an advisory group to, among other things, participate in the development and review of the states juvenile justice plan. Existing state law requires that advisory group to study the feasibility of the establishment of a statewide referral system, or hotline, for runaway and homeless youth.This bill would require a statewide emergency referral system for youth to have the capacity to make a direct referral of a minor who meets the definition of a dependent child to their local child welfare agency and require local child welfare agencies to establish a protocol to triage and respond to referrals received pursuant to that provision. The bill would require the Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with specified stakeholders, to develop procedures to be used to screen calls for signs that the caller is being abused or neglected. By imposing new duties on local child welfare agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a)The Legislature declares that it is concerned about the welfare of minors on the street who have been victims of abuse and neglect. Often these youth, who include former foster youth, do not know where to turn for help and there may not be local services to support them.(b)The Youth Emergency Telephone Referral Network, now called the California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) is the only 24-hour, statewide, toll-free comprehensive source for referrals, information, and crisis counseling for youth, parents, law enforcement, and community members concerned about the youth of California. The CYCL has been in operation since 1986.(c)The CYCL, and any other hotline like it that may be established, can play a role in connecting minors and youth who are former foster children with county social workers to better assess their needs and circumstances.SEC. 2. Section 329 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:329. (a) If a person applies to a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court, the application shall be in the form of an affidavit alleging that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child within the provisions of Section 300, and setting forth facts in support thereof. The social worker shall immediately investigate as the social worker deems necessary to determine whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. If Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days three weeks after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section. The social worker shall retain the affidavit and the endorsement thereon for a period of 30 days after notifying the applicant.(b) If the child about whom an application is made, as described in subdivision (a), is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services, then, if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section.(c) For purposes of this section, homeless means sleeping on the street or in a vehicle, a shelter, or other temporary accommodations without a permanent residence to which the person can return, or moving frequently between temporary living arrangements with local households, including, but not limited to, households of extended family, friends, friends parents, and acquaintances, while lacking a permanent or stable home.SEC. 3. Section 331 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:331. (a) If a person has applied to the social worker, pursuant to Section 329, to commence juvenile court proceedings and the social worker fails to file a petition within five business days after the application, the time period required under Section 329, the person may, within one month after making the application, apply to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker, and the court may either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings.(b) A juvenile court shall review applications received pursuant to subdivision (a) prior to addressing any other dependency hearings, proceedings, or trials, except for detention hearings held pursuant to Section 315, and shall either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings no more than 10 days after application is made to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker.SEC. 4.Section 1786.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:1786.5.(a)A hotline shall have the capacity to make a direct referral of a minor who is described by Section 300 to their local child welfare agency and shall maintain a list, with contact information, for points of contact within the child welfare agencies. A hotline shall not make the referral without the consent of the minor.(b)When making a referral, as described in subdivision (a), the hotline shall establish a direct and live connection through a three-way call that includes the minor and the child welfare agency prior to leaving the call.(c)Local child welfare agencies shall establish a protocol to triage and respond to referrals received pursuant to this section.(d)The Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with the State Department of Social Services, the County Welfare Directors Association, child welfare and youth homelessness advocates, and the California Youth Crisis Line, shall develop procedures for a hotline to screen calls for signs that the caller is being abused or neglected.(e)For the purposes of this section, a hotline means a statewide emergency referral system for youth.SEC. 5.SEC. 4. To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
Amended IN Assembly March 21, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 861Introduced by Assembly Member ChenFebruary 20, 2019 An act to amend Sections 329 and 331 of, and to add Section 1786.5 to, of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 861, as amended, Chen. Juveniles.Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances. Existing law specifies that a proceeding to declare a juvenile a dependent is commenced by the social worker filing a petition with the juvenile court and authorizes a person to apply to the social worker to commence dependency proceedings. If the social worker does not undertake a program of supervision of the child or file a petition in the juvenile court within 3 weeks after the application, the social worker is required to document that decision and the person who applied to the social worker may apply to the juvenile court to review the social workers decision.This bill would shorten that time period to 5 business days after the application. application if the child about whom an application is made is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services. The bill would also require the juvenile court to review those applications prior to addressing any other dependency matter except detention hearings and issue a decision no more than 10 days after the application is made. By requiring a higher level of service from county social workers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing federal law requires states to form an advisory group to, among other things, participate in the development and review of the states juvenile justice plan. Existing state law requires that advisory group to study the feasibility of the establishment of a statewide referral system, or hotline, for runaway and homeless youth.This bill would require a statewide emergency referral system for youth to have the capacity to make a direct referral of a minor who meets the definition of a dependent child to their local child welfare agency and require local child welfare agencies to establish a protocol to triage and respond to referrals received pursuant to that provision. The bill would require the Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with specified stakeholders, to develop procedures to be used to screen calls for signs that the caller is being abused or neglected. By imposing new duties on local child welfare agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
Amended IN Assembly March 21, 2019
Amended IN Assembly March 21, 2019
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill No. 861
Introduced by Assembly Member ChenFebruary 20, 2019
Introduced by Assembly Member Chen
February 20, 2019
An act to amend Sections 329 and 331 of, and to add Section 1786.5 to, of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 861, as amended, Chen. Juveniles.
Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances. Existing law specifies that a proceeding to declare a juvenile a dependent is commenced by the social worker filing a petition with the juvenile court and authorizes a person to apply to the social worker to commence dependency proceedings. If the social worker does not undertake a program of supervision of the child or file a petition in the juvenile court within 3 weeks after the application, the social worker is required to document that decision and the person who applied to the social worker may apply to the juvenile court to review the social workers decision.This bill would shorten that time period to 5 business days after the application. application if the child about whom an application is made is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services. The bill would also require the juvenile court to review those applications prior to addressing any other dependency matter except detention hearings and issue a decision no more than 10 days after the application is made. By requiring a higher level of service from county social workers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.Existing federal law requires states to form an advisory group to, among other things, participate in the development and review of the states juvenile justice plan. Existing state law requires that advisory group to study the feasibility of the establishment of a statewide referral system, or hotline, for runaway and homeless youth.This bill would require a statewide emergency referral system for youth to have the capacity to make a direct referral of a minor who meets the definition of a dependent child to their local child welfare agency and require local child welfare agencies to establish a protocol to triage and respond to referrals received pursuant to that provision. The bill would require the Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with specified stakeholders, to develop procedures to be used to screen calls for signs that the caller is being abused or neglected. By imposing new duties on local child welfare agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge a child to be a dependent of the court under certain circumstances. Existing law specifies that a proceeding to declare a juvenile a dependent is commenced by the social worker filing a petition with the juvenile court and authorizes a person to apply to the social worker to commence dependency proceedings. If the social worker does not undertake a program of supervision of the child or file a petition in the juvenile court within 3 weeks after the application, the social worker is required to document that decision and the person who applied to the social worker may apply to the juvenile court to review the social workers decision.
This bill would shorten that time period to 5 business days after the application. application if the child about whom an application is made is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services. The bill would also require the juvenile court to review those applications prior to addressing any other dependency matter except detention hearings and issue a decision no more than 10 days after the application is made. By requiring a higher level of service from county social workers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing federal law requires states to form an advisory group to, among other things, participate in the development and review of the states juvenile justice plan. Existing state law requires that advisory group to study the feasibility of the establishment of a statewide referral system, or hotline, for runaway and homeless youth.
This bill would require a statewide emergency referral system for youth to have the capacity to make a direct referral of a minor who meets the definition of a dependent child to their local child welfare agency and require local child welfare agencies to establish a protocol to triage and respond to referrals received pursuant to that provision. The bill would require the Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with specified stakeholders, to develop procedures to be used to screen calls for signs that the caller is being abused or neglected. By imposing new duties on local child welfare agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a)The Legislature declares that it is concerned about the welfare of minors on the street who have been victims of abuse and neglect. Often these youth, who include former foster youth, do not know where to turn for help and there may not be local services to support them.(b)The Youth Emergency Telephone Referral Network, now called the California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) is the only 24-hour, statewide, toll-free comprehensive source for referrals, information, and crisis counseling for youth, parents, law enforcement, and community members concerned about the youth of California. The CYCL has been in operation since 1986.(c)The CYCL, and any other hotline like it that may be established, can play a role in connecting minors and youth who are former foster children with county social workers to better assess their needs and circumstances.SEC. 2. Section 329 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:329. (a) If a person applies to a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court, the application shall be in the form of an affidavit alleging that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child within the provisions of Section 300, and setting forth facts in support thereof. The social worker shall immediately investigate as the social worker deems necessary to determine whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. If Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days three weeks after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section. The social worker shall retain the affidavit and the endorsement thereon for a period of 30 days after notifying the applicant.(b) If the child about whom an application is made, as described in subdivision (a), is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services, then, if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section.(c) For purposes of this section, homeless means sleeping on the street or in a vehicle, a shelter, or other temporary accommodations without a permanent residence to which the person can return, or moving frequently between temporary living arrangements with local households, including, but not limited to, households of extended family, friends, friends parents, and acquaintances, while lacking a permanent or stable home.SEC. 3. Section 331 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:331. (a) If a person has applied to the social worker, pursuant to Section 329, to commence juvenile court proceedings and the social worker fails to file a petition within five business days after the application, the time period required under Section 329, the person may, within one month after making the application, apply to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker, and the court may either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings.(b) A juvenile court shall review applications received pursuant to subdivision (a) prior to addressing any other dependency hearings, proceedings, or trials, except for detention hearings held pursuant to Section 315, and shall either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings no more than 10 days after application is made to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker.SEC. 4.Section 1786.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:1786.5.(a)A hotline shall have the capacity to make a direct referral of a minor who is described by Section 300 to their local child welfare agency and shall maintain a list, with contact information, for points of contact within the child welfare agencies. A hotline shall not make the referral without the consent of the minor.(b)When making a referral, as described in subdivision (a), the hotline shall establish a direct and live connection through a three-way call that includes the minor and the child welfare agency prior to leaving the call.(c)Local child welfare agencies shall establish a protocol to triage and respond to referrals received pursuant to this section.(d)The Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with the State Department of Social Services, the County Welfare Directors Association, child welfare and youth homelessness advocates, and the California Youth Crisis Line, shall develop procedures for a hotline to screen calls for signs that the caller is being abused or neglected.(e)For the purposes of this section, a hotline means a statewide emergency referral system for youth.SEC. 5.SEC. 4. To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a)The Legislature declares that it is concerned about the welfare of minors on the street who have been victims of abuse and neglect. Often these youth, who include former foster youth, do not know where to turn for help and there may not be local services to support them.(b)The Youth Emergency Telephone Referral Network, now called the California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) is the only 24-hour, statewide, toll-free comprehensive source for referrals, information, and crisis counseling for youth, parents, law enforcement, and community members concerned about the youth of California. The CYCL has been in operation since 1986.(c)The CYCL, and any other hotline like it that may be established, can play a role in connecting minors and youth who are former foster children with county social workers to better assess their needs and circumstances.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a)The Legislature declares that it is concerned about the welfare of minors on the street who have been victims of abuse and neglect. Often these youth, who include former foster youth, do not know where to turn for help and there may not be local services to support them.(b)The Youth Emergency Telephone Referral Network, now called the California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) is the only 24-hour, statewide, toll-free comprehensive source for referrals, information, and crisis counseling for youth, parents, law enforcement, and community members concerned about the youth of California. The CYCL has been in operation since 1986.(c)The CYCL, and any other hotline like it that may be established, can play a role in connecting minors and youth who are former foster children with county social workers to better assess their needs and circumstances.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a)The Legislature declares that it is concerned about the welfare of minors on the street who have been victims of abuse and neglect. Often these youth, who include former foster youth, do not know where to turn for help and there may not be local services to support them.
(b)The Youth Emergency Telephone Referral Network, now called the California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) is the only 24-hour, statewide, toll-free comprehensive source for referrals, information, and crisis counseling for youth, parents, law enforcement, and community members concerned about the youth of California. The CYCL has been in operation since 1986.
(c)The CYCL, and any other hotline like it that may be established, can play a role in connecting minors and youth who are former foster children with county social workers to better assess their needs and circumstances.
SEC. 2. Section 329 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:329. (a) If a person applies to a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court, the application shall be in the form of an affidavit alleging that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child within the provisions of Section 300, and setting forth facts in support thereof. The social worker shall immediately investigate as the social worker deems necessary to determine whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. If Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days three weeks after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section. The social worker shall retain the affidavit and the endorsement thereon for a period of 30 days after notifying the applicant.(b) If the child about whom an application is made, as described in subdivision (a), is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services, then, if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section.(c) For purposes of this section, homeless means sleeping on the street or in a vehicle, a shelter, or other temporary accommodations without a permanent residence to which the person can return, or moving frequently between temporary living arrangements with local households, including, but not limited to, households of extended family, friends, friends parents, and acquaintances, while lacking a permanent or stable home.
SEC. 2. Section 329 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:
### SEC. 2.
329. (a) If a person applies to a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court, the application shall be in the form of an affidavit alleging that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child within the provisions of Section 300, and setting forth facts in support thereof. The social worker shall immediately investigate as the social worker deems necessary to determine whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. If Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days three weeks after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section. The social worker shall retain the affidavit and the endorsement thereon for a period of 30 days after notifying the applicant.(b) If the child about whom an application is made, as described in subdivision (a), is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services, then, if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section.(c) For purposes of this section, homeless means sleeping on the street or in a vehicle, a shelter, or other temporary accommodations without a permanent residence to which the person can return, or moving frequently between temporary living arrangements with local households, including, but not limited to, households of extended family, friends, friends parents, and acquaintances, while lacking a permanent or stable home.
329. (a) If a person applies to a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court, the application shall be in the form of an affidavit alleging that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child within the provisions of Section 300, and setting forth facts in support thereof. The social worker shall immediately investigate as the social worker deems necessary to determine whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. If Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days three weeks after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section. The social worker shall retain the affidavit and the endorsement thereon for a period of 30 days after notifying the applicant.(b) If the child about whom an application is made, as described in subdivision (a), is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services, then, if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section.(c) For purposes of this section, homeless means sleeping on the street or in a vehicle, a shelter, or other temporary accommodations without a permanent residence to which the person can return, or moving frequently between temporary living arrangements with local households, including, but not limited to, households of extended family, friends, friends parents, and acquaintances, while lacking a permanent or stable home.
329. (a) If a person applies to a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court, the application shall be in the form of an affidavit alleging that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child within the provisions of Section 300, and setting forth facts in support thereof. The social worker shall immediately investigate as the social worker deems necessary to determine whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. If Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days three weeks after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section. The social worker shall retain the affidavit and the endorsement thereon for a period of 30 days after notifying the applicant.(b) If the child about whom an application is made, as described in subdivision (a), is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services, then, if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section.(c) For purposes of this section, homeless means sleeping on the street or in a vehicle, a shelter, or other temporary accommodations without a permanent residence to which the person can return, or moving frequently between temporary living arrangements with local households, including, but not limited to, households of extended family, friends, friends parents, and acquaintances, while lacking a permanent or stable home.
329. (a) If a person applies to a social worker to commence proceedings in the juvenile court, the application shall be in the form of an affidavit alleging that there was or is within the county, or residing therein, a child within the provisions of Section 300, and setting forth facts in support thereof. The social worker shall immediately investigate as the social worker deems necessary to determine whether proceedings in the juvenile court should be commenced. If Except as provided in subdivision (b), if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days three weeks after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section. The social worker shall retain the affidavit and the endorsement thereon for a period of 30 days after notifying the applicant.
(b) If the child about whom an application is made, as described in subdivision (a), is homeless, has been a dependent or ward of the juvenile court, or has received informal probation or child welfare services, then, if the social worker does not take action under Section 301 and does not file a petition in the juvenile court within five business days after the application, the social worker shall endorse upon the affidavit of the applicant their decision not to proceed further, including any recommendation made to the applicant, if one is made, to consider commencing a probate guardianship for the child, and their reasons therefor and shall immediately notify the applicant of the action taken or the decision rendered by the social worker under this section.
(c) For purposes of this section, homeless means sleeping on the street or in a vehicle, a shelter, or other temporary accommodations without a permanent residence to which the person can return, or moving frequently between temporary living arrangements with local households, including, but not limited to, households of extended family, friends, friends parents, and acquaintances, while lacking a permanent or stable home.
SEC. 3. Section 331 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:331. (a) If a person has applied to the social worker, pursuant to Section 329, to commence juvenile court proceedings and the social worker fails to file a petition within five business days after the application, the time period required under Section 329, the person may, within one month after making the application, apply to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker, and the court may either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings.(b) A juvenile court shall review applications received pursuant to subdivision (a) prior to addressing any other dependency hearings, proceedings, or trials, except for detention hearings held pursuant to Section 315, and shall either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings no more than 10 days after application is made to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker.
SEC. 3. Section 331 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:
### SEC. 3.
331. (a) If a person has applied to the social worker, pursuant to Section 329, to commence juvenile court proceedings and the social worker fails to file a petition within five business days after the application, the time period required under Section 329, the person may, within one month after making the application, apply to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker, and the court may either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings.(b) A juvenile court shall review applications received pursuant to subdivision (a) prior to addressing any other dependency hearings, proceedings, or trials, except for detention hearings held pursuant to Section 315, and shall either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings no more than 10 days after application is made to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker.
331. (a) If a person has applied to the social worker, pursuant to Section 329, to commence juvenile court proceedings and the social worker fails to file a petition within five business days after the application, the time period required under Section 329, the person may, within one month after making the application, apply to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker, and the court may either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings.(b) A juvenile court shall review applications received pursuant to subdivision (a) prior to addressing any other dependency hearings, proceedings, or trials, except for detention hearings held pursuant to Section 315, and shall either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings no more than 10 days after application is made to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker.
331. (a) If a person has applied to the social worker, pursuant to Section 329, to commence juvenile court proceedings and the social worker fails to file a petition within five business days after the application, the time period required under Section 329, the person may, within one month after making the application, apply to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker, and the court may either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings.(b) A juvenile court shall review applications received pursuant to subdivision (a) prior to addressing any other dependency hearings, proceedings, or trials, except for detention hearings held pursuant to Section 315, and shall either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings no more than 10 days after application is made to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker.
331. (a) If a person has applied to the social worker, pursuant to Section 329, to commence juvenile court proceedings and the social worker fails to file a petition within five business days after the application, the time period required under Section 329, the person may, within one month after making the application, apply to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker, and the court may either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings.
(b) A juvenile court shall review applications received pursuant to subdivision (a) prior to addressing any other dependency hearings, proceedings, or trials, except for detention hearings held pursuant to Section 315, and shall either affirm the decision of the social worker or order the social worker to commence juvenile court proceedings no more than 10 days after application is made to the juvenile court to review the decision of the social worker.
(a)A hotline shall have the capacity to make a direct referral of a minor who is described by Section 300 to their local child welfare agency and shall maintain a list, with contact information, for points of contact within the child welfare agencies. A hotline shall not make the referral without the consent of the minor.
(b)When making a referral, as described in subdivision (a), the hotline shall establish a direct and live connection through a three-way call that includes the minor and the child welfare agency prior to leaving the call.
(c)Local child welfare agencies shall establish a protocol to triage and respond to referrals received pursuant to this section.
(d)The Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with the State Department of Social Services, the County Welfare Directors Association, child welfare and youth homelessness advocates, and the California Youth Crisis Line, shall develop procedures for a hotline to screen calls for signs that the caller is being abused or neglected.
(e)For the purposes of this section, a hotline means a statewide emergency referral system for youth.
SEC. 5.SEC. 4. To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 5.SEC. 4. To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 5.SEC. 4. To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
### SEC. 5.SEC. 4.